zlacker

[parent] [thread] 16 comments
1. parl_m+(OP)[view] [source] 2026-02-04 17:44:41
I really wish Apple would offer a pin option on macos. For this reason, precisely. Either that, or an option to automatically disable touchid after a short amount of time (eg an hour or if my phone doesn't connect to the laptop)
replies(7): >>fpolin+r3 >>xoa+A5 >>Wistar+Fd >>NetMag+vy >>redeem+yL >>djhn+j51 >>171862+iU2
2. fpolin+r3[view] [source] 2026-02-04 17:57:43
>>parl_m+(OP)
You can setup a separated account with a long password on MacOS and remove your user account from accounts that can unlock FileVault. Then you can change your account to use a short password. You can also change various settings regarding how long Mac has to sleep before requiring to unlock FileVault.
replies(1): >>AnonHP+W6
3. xoa+A5[view] [source] 2026-02-04 18:06:10
>>parl_m+(OP)
As another alternative, rather than using Touch ID you can setup a Yubikey or similar hardware key for login to macOS. Then your login does indeed become a PIN with 3 tries before lockout. That plus a complex password is pretty convenient but not biometric. It's what I've done for a long time on my desktop devices.
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4. AnonHP+W6[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 18:12:15
>>fpolin+r3
I didn’t understand how a user that cannot unlock FileVault helps. Can you please elaborate on this setup? Thanks.
replies(1): >>fpolin+IQ
5. Wistar+Fd[view] [source] 2026-02-04 18:38:50
>>parl_m+(OP)
On my Macbook Pro, I usually need to use both touch and a password but that might be only when some hours have passed between log ins.
6. NetMag+vy[view] [source] 2026-02-04 20:19:55
>>parl_m+(OP)
You can script a time out if desired.
7. redeem+yL[view] [source] 2026-02-04 21:15:12
>>parl_m+(OP)
uhm, are you saying its not possible to require an actual password to unlock osx?
replies(2): >>tedd4u+3k1 >>parl_m+Un1
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8. fpolin+IQ[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 21:41:44
>>AnonHP+W6
With that setup on boot or after a long sleep one first must log in into an account with longer password. Then one logs out of that and switches to the primary account with a short password.
9. djhn+j51[view] [source] 2026-02-04 22:58:49
>>parl_m+(OP)
Wait, wasn’t touch id phased out together with the intel touch bar macbooks? I’ve never used anything but a long password to unlock.
replies(1): >>fckgw+D91
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10. fckgw+D91[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 23:23:22
>>djhn+j51
No, it's been part of the power button since then.
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11. tedd4u+3k1[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-05 00:33:53
>>redeem+yL
My guess is they want to have a PIN as a short-term credential analogous to the Touch ID, that is, it only works for X hours per password auth before needing password auth again, and then you only get X tries on the PIN before it either locks the PIN out and you need the full password to reactivate it (or I guess it could wipe the laptop à la iPhone).
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12. parl_m+Un1[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-05 01:03:09
>>redeem+yL
> uhm, are you saying its not possible to require an actual password to unlock osx?

uhm, are saying that i'm saying that? if so, please show me where i said that. thank you

replies(1): >>redeem+My2
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13. redeem+My2[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-05 12:09:27
>>parl_m+Un1
no, thats why i was asking, as i was not fully sure what you meant
replies(1): >>parl_m+Rv3
14. 171862+iU2[view] [source] 2026-02-05 14:38:54
>>parl_m+(OP)
I often see people use a "pin" on Windows and I never got it. What is the purpose of a pin makes it different from a password?
replies(1): >>NewsaH+2M4
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15. parl_m+Rv3[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-05 17:54:43
>>redeem+My2
what im saying is that i dont want to type in a long ass password all the time

and biometrics have "legal problems" as stated above

a pin or allowing touchid to automatically be disabled after a period of time or computer movement ("please enter password to login") would be greatly appreciated

as it stands now, i have biometrics disabled.

replies(1): >>redeem+PM3
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16. redeem+PM3[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-05 19:00:43
>>parl_m+Rv3
seems reasonable
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17. NewsaH+2M4[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-06 00:09:06
>>171862+iU2
PIN numbers are easier to remember. Remember, 99% of the population does not care about defense against state actors, just stopping nosy co-workers or family members from looking at their stuff. The next group (which I would include myself in) is concerned about theft (both physical and remote), where someone can get "unlimited" access to your machine and may be able to defeat a short PIN but is unlikely to beat a strong password. If you are in the realm of defending against state actors, then that is something you have to take multiple steps to ensure, and a single slip-up will tank your operation (like with this lady).
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